Method and apparatus for pitting fruit



Aug. 21, 1945. B. c. COONS 2,332,961

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FITTING FRUIT Filed April 8, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BURTON C. Coo/v5 ATTO RN EY Au 21, 1945.. I Bj C ONS 2,382,961

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FITTING FRUIT Filed April 8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BURTON C. Coo/v5 ATTORNEY Au 21, 1945. B Q COON 2,382,961

METHOD AI ID APPARATUS FOR FITTING FRUIT Filed April 8, 1940 6 Sheets-$heet 5 lNVENTOR AT ORNEY Aug. 21, 1945. B. c. cooNs 2,332,961

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FITTING FRUIT Filed April 8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BUR TON C. Coo/vs AT ORNEY B. C. COONS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FITTING FRUIT Filed April 8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F1 EFLILQ 6 lIEL.

M Z 5 m 2 WW .1 A W1 42 6 a E E 7 1 IF m. @5 5, m 2 w 2% flux A .D f0 B A E a E v 1 w y F FIE FIELEEI 5-15-24: FIELEE IWQW ATTORNEY Patenied Aug. 21, 1945 METHOD AND APPARATUS non rrrrmo FRUliT Burton 0. Coons, San Jose, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery Corporation, San Jose, Call! a corporation of Delaware Application April 8, 1940, Serial No. 328,479

31 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for pitting fruit, such as cherries, or the like, previous to canning or other processing of the same.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of removing the pits of fruit and of rehaping the pitted fruit to restore the natural and attractive appearance thereof.

Another object is to provide a method of restoring the natural appearance of pitted fruit, whereby the meat of the fruit is contracted in the region of the wound leftby the withdrawal of the pit and placed back into the interior of the fruit.

A further object is to provide a method of restoring the natural attractive appearance of pitted fruit whereby the opening formed in the fruit by the withdrawal of the pit is closed to form a sealed air pocket within the fruit previously occupied by the pit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for stemming and pitting of cherries, or similar fruit, in an eflicient and speedy manner.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for stemming and pitting of cherries without mutilation of the fruit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pitting machine, having a feed mechanism including devices for stemming and centering of fruit preparatory to pitting thereof.

Another object is to provide a stemming and pitting machine comprising a reshaping mechanism for restoring the natural and attractive appearance of the fruit subsequent to the stemming and pitting thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to pIOvide a pitting machine having a feed mecha- A further object is to provide a fruit holding mechanism for receiving and supporting fruits in accurately centered position and for advancing the fruit through the machine. past the pitting and reshaping mechanism thereof.

A further object is to provide means for timing the operation of the pitting and'reshaping mechanism relative to the operation of the feeding and fruit holding mechanism.

A further object is to provide an ejector mechanism operable in timed relation with respect to the fruit holding mechanism for discharging the pitted fruit from the machine.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the machine, taken along lines 3-4 in Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detailed view illustrating the mounting of the turret and index gear upon the standard of the machine, certain parts bein shown in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the feed mechanism,

which includes the stemming mechanism and the fruit centering device, certain parts being shown in section.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of Fig. 5, certain parts being omitted.

nism including devices for stemming the fruit and 1 for centering the same preparatory'to the pitting operation thereof and during suspension of the fruit on the feed mechanism.

A further object is to provide a feed mechanism comprising'stemmin'g and centering devices for stemming of fruit suspended thereon, and for centering and positioning of the same with respect to fruit supporting and holding means incident to the stemming operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pitting mechanism which is automatically adjustable for removing the pits of cherries or similar fruit of various sizes.

A further object is to provide a reshaping mechanism which is automatically adjustable for reshaping stemmed and pitted fruit of various size and configuration.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the feed mechanism, illustrating the position of the parts thereof during the stemming operation.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. 5, certain parts being broken away.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of certain parts of the feed and stemming mechanism, illustrating the stem of a cherry in locked position preparatory to the stemming action.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of one of the centering members of the feed mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a side view of the pitting mechanism illustrating the position of the parts thereof during the pitting operation; certain parts are sltions which they assume shortly after the pitting operation. Certain parts of this figure are shown in section, and others are broken away.

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the pitting mechanism shown in Fig. 11. the view being taken along lines I 3l3 of Fig. 12, certain parts being 'broken away.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines I 4l4 of Fig. 11, illustrating a portion of the pitting mechanism Fig. 15 is a perspective view 01' a bracket employed in connection with the pitting mechanism.

Fi 16 is a perspective view of certain actuating members of the pitting mechanism.

Figs. 17 to 21 are fragmentary illustrations of the operation of the pitting member at various stages during the pitting action thereof.

Fig. 22 is an end elevation of-the reshaping mechanism.

Fig. 23 is a vertical section through one of the reshaping members and its associated parts of the reshaping mechanism, the reshaping member being shown in inoperative position.

Figs. 24 and 25 are vertical sectional views of a reshaping member and its associated parts, illustrating the same in different operative positions in engagement with a cherry to be reshaped thereby. Certain portions of Figs. 24 and 25 are shown in elevation.

Referring first briefly to the general construction of the machine of the present invention, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it may be stated that the same comprises a rotatable turret and a plurality of fruit handling and proc sin me ns positioned adjacent the same for performing various fruit preparing operations,

Primarily. the machine consists of a turret A,

I provided with fruit holding and supporting means, a feed mechanism B, which includes stemming and centering devices, a pitting mechanism C, a reshaping mechanism D, and an ejector mechanism F, all of which are operated in timed relation relative to each other by a single source of motive power.

The fruits which are manually inserted in the feed mechanism are stripped from the stems and centered incident to the stemming operation, and are thereupon deposited into the fruit holding and supporting means of the turret A in accurately centered position. During the rotation of the turret A, the fruit supported thereby is presented to the pitting mechanism C for removal of the pits thereof, and, subsequently, to the reshaping mechanism D for reshaping of the fruit to restore its original and attractive appearance. Finally, the turret A presents the pitted and reshaped fruit to the ejector or discharge mechanism F, which effects the discharge of the finished product from the machine.

with the foregoing description in mind, the construction and operation of the machine will now be specifically described.

Frame structure and drive The frame structure of the machine, as may be best seen from Figs. 1 to 3, comprises a' base I provided with a standard 2 and a supporting bracket 3, upon which an electric motor 4, provided with a drive shaft 5 and a sprocket wheel 8, is mounted in any convenient manner.

Supported upon the standard 2 and fixed with respect thereto is a spider structure I, consisting of a hexagonal central body portion 8, and a pm rality of horizontally extending spider arms 8, I. and II.

The spider arms 3, l6 and H extend in radial directions from the body portion 8 and are proarranged in series and are positioned in chords vided with vertically extending portions l1, l8 and I8, respectively.

The radially extending arm 9 of the spider structure 1 supports the feed mechanism B of the machine which also includes fruit stemming and centering devices. The arm l8 carries the pitting mechanism generally indicated at C, while the arm ll supports the reshaping mechanism D of the machine.

The ejector mechanism F is likewise carried by the spider structure I, by means of a supporting bracket 28 attached to the hexagonal body portion 8, as will be seen from Fig. 1.

The vertical portion. I! of the spider arm 9 comprises a bearing 25, within which one end of a horizontally disposed main drive shaft 26 is positioned. The other end of the shaft 26 is received within a bearing of the hexagonal body portion 3 of the spider structure I. The main drive shaft 26 carries a sprocket wheel 21 fixed thereto, and a drive chain 28 trained around the sprocket wheels 6 and 21 is provided for imparting rotation to the shaft 28 upon operation of the motor 4.

The vertical portion l8 of the spider arm It! comprises a bearing 28 for rotatably supporting a horizontally extending shaft 38, the other end of which is mounted within a bearing portion of the body 8 of the spider structure 1, adjacent the arm l0.

The vertical portion IQ of the arm II is provided with a bearing 31 which supports one end of a horizontally disposed shaft 38, supported with its other free end within a bearing in the body portion 8 of the spider structure, in a manner similar to that referred to in connection with shafts 28 and 36.

The shafts 26, 30 and 38 extend in radial directions from the hexagonal central portion 8 of the spider structure 'I in a manner similar to arms 9, Hi and ii, previously referred to.

Keyed to the shaft 26 adjacent the hexagonal body portion 8 of the spider I is a bevel gear II, which is in operative engagement with an idler bevel gear 42 supported by a stud shaft extending from the portion 8 of the spider structure. The bevel gear 42 cooperates with a bevel gear 43, mounted upon the shaft 38, and the gear 43 in turn is in engagement with a bevel gear 44, fixed upon the shaft 38, From the above, it will therefore be seen that upon rotation of shaft 26, shafts 36 and 38 are correspondingly rotated to effect operation of'the pitting, reshaping and ejector mechanism associated therewith.

Turret and index mechanism The upper portion of the hexagonal member 8 of the spider I carries a stationary stud shaft 46 (see Fig. 4) comprising a lower portion 41 and an upper portion 48 of reduced diameter. Carried by a flange 49, formed between the stud portions 41 and 48 above referred to, is a roller bearing 58 adapted to support the turret'A, and an index plate 52, interconnected therewith by means of screws 53. The turret A and index plate 52 are rotatably positioned upon the upper end 48 of the stud shaft 46, and are held in place by means of a screw 54, a metal washer 55, and a washer of resilient material 56, as clearly shown in-Fig. 4.

The turret A consists of a circular table 51 provided with a hub 58, and a plurality of fruit holding and supporting cups 59, mounted upon the upper face of the table 57. These cups are assaoci oi the circle defined by the table 51. Adjacent series of fruit supporting cup 09 are disposed with respect to each other at an angle of 90 degrees, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The construction of the fruit supporting cups 99 is clearly disclosed in Fig. 20, and from this illustration it will be noted that the same comprise an upper portion 80 forming a cup-like fruit receptacle, an intermediate or body portion 9i, and a threaded portion 09 for removabiy securing the cups to the tablet'i.

The cups to are further provided with a central bore 99 extending vertically through the body portion thereof for purposes referred to hereinafter.

Theinterior or dished portion 94 of the cups 99 is sufficiently large to accommodate cherries of various size, and is of such a configuration that the cherries placed therein in centered position will remain in such position during the rotation of the turret A. In other words, the

fruit receiving portion 04 of the cups i439 is not exactly semi-circular in cross section, but somewhat parabolic, so as to exert a slight wedging action upon the fruit -'for maintaining the same in proper position therein.

Mounted upon the spider arm 9 intermediate the vertically extending portion l1 and the hexagonal portion 9 of the spider structure I is a bracket 98 provided with a bearing 89, adapted to receivea shaft 10 provided at its upper end with an index arm 1i fixed thereto and carrying an index roller 12. Keyed to the lower end of the shaft is a bevel gear 13 intermeshing with another bevel gear I4, keyed to the shaft 29. Fixed to shaft I0, and positioned intermediate the index arin'll and bearing 09 oi the bracket 09, is a locking plate 15 (see Figs. 1 and 3). The locking plate 15 is provided with a cut-out portion it, and is adapted to rotate in unison with the index arm II, above referred to.

The index plate 52 comprises arcuate faces 11 and elongated radially extending slots 18. During rotation of the index arm II in the direction of arrow 19, in Fig. 3, the roller" enters one of the elongated slots 18 and causes rotation of the index plate 52 in the direction of the arrow 80, until the arcuate i'ace IT following said slot is in alignment with the locking plate 15, and locked by the peripheral face of the same against further rotation. At this time, the roller 12 leaves the respective slot 19, and the index plate 52 remains in locked position until the roller 12 enters the next slot iii of the index plate 52 and causes a further rotation of the same.

It will be observed from Fig. 3 that upon entry of the roller 12 into one of the elongated slots is of the index plate 52,. the cut-out portion 18 of the locking plate 75 will be in such relation with respect to-the index plate 92 that a rotation thereof, as referred to hereinbefore, is permitted.

The elongated slots 18 are disposed in angles of 60 degrees with respect to each other, corresponding to the angular arrangement of the series of fruit receiving cups 59, and the arcuate faces T1 are disposed intermediate the elongated slots 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

In view of the arrangement above described, the index plate 52 as well as the turret A are intermittently rotated, and a corresponding advancement of the fruit holding and supporting cups 59 from the feed mechanism B to the pitting mechanism C, reshaping mechanism D, and

elector F is obtained.

Feeding, stemming and centering mechanism Fixed to the vertically extending portion ii of r the spider arm 9 is a bracket 05 (see Figs. 1 and 5), which is provided with spaced bearings 88 and 91, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Positioned within the bearings 86 and 81 is a shaft 89, held in fixed relation thereto by means of set screws 89. Mounted upon the shaft 00 and fixed thereto by means of set screws 90 is a U-shaped bracket 9i, which carries a top or stem supporting plate 92. The forward end of the top plate 92 extends a slight distance above the turret A and comprises a plurality of rectangular openings 93, which are in alignment with the cups 59 of the turret A when the same are in fruit receiving position. The forward ends of these openings are closed by means of U-shaped members 94, as will be best seen from Figs. 2 and 8. These U-shaped members are secured to the upper surface of the top plate 92 in any convenient manner, and are provided with depending tongue portions 95 (see Figs. 7 and 9) which are of an arcuate contour in vertical direction.

Depending from the lower surface of the top plate 92 are bearing lugs 96, through which a shaft 91 extends in a transverse direction with respect to the top plate 92 and parallel to the fixed shaft 80.

Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 91 are a I plurality of locking arms 99, each one ,of which is provided with an upwardly and transversely extending hook portion 99, extending through the openings 99 in the top plate 92 when the locking arms are in a position as shown in Fig. 5.

The hook portions 99 of the locking arms 98 are in close relation to the depending tongues 95 of the U-shaped members 94. The face of each of these hook portions is circumferential in contour about shaft 91, corresponding to the circumferential contour of the depending tongue portions 95 about the same center.

groove I00 which extends vertically thereof.

Mounted upon the shaft 88 are a plurality of bearing members I05 which are positioned in- Q termediate the bearing brackets 86 and 81. Each of the bearing members I05 is provided witha stripping plate I06, extending above the cups 59 of the turret A when the same are in fruit receiving position. The free ends of the stripping plates i06 are of a V-shaped configuration and are provided with flanged eyelets I01 (see Figs. 9 and 10), disposed at the apex of the V-portions thereof. The eyelets I0! of the stripping plates I06 are disposed in centered relation with respect to the cups 59 when the same are in fruit receiving position, and are provided with an opening I08 for permitting the insertion of the stem of a cherry therein.

The sides I09 of the v -shaped portions of the stripping pl atcs I06 are tangentially positioned with respect to the outer periphery of the eyelets I0'I, while the sides N0 of the V-shaped portions of the stripping plates are tangentially arranged with respect to the inner periphery of the eyelets I01, which formsa central opening H5, as will be best seen from Fig. 10. The tangential faces I09 and I I0, and the entrance openings I08 of the eyelets I01 of adjacent stripping plates I06, are arranged in reversed position, and the hooks 99 of the locking arms 99 of adjacent The face of each hook portion is further provided with a stripping plates I08, are arranged in opposite positions ;with respect to each other.

The portion II8 of the eyelets I07 adjacent the tangential portions I09 of the stripping plates B08 aids materially in keeping the cherry in proper alignment during the centering and stemming operation, in that it prevents the tilting of the cherry during the stemming thereof.

In feeding the machine of the present inven-. tion, the operators grasp the stems of two pairs of cherries and pull the same into the V portion of adjacent stripping plates I08. The stems are then bent downwardly under the hook portions 99 oi the locking arms 99 into a position as will be clearly seen from Fig. 5. As soon as the stems of the cherries are positioned under the hook portions 99 of the locking arms 98, the fruit will remain suspended as shown in Fig. 5, due to the frictional engagement between the stem and the U-shaped members 99.

Fixed to the bracket 88, previously referred to, is a bearing bracket II'I, within which a shaft II 8 is slidably disposed. Mounted upon the upper end of the shaft H8 is a plate H8, provided with a channel member i2 9 extending transversely of the stripping plates I08, and provided with a plurality of set screws I2I, one for each stripping plate I08, for adjusting and positioning the stripping plates in fully raised position, as shown in Fig. 5.

Secured to the plate H8 and each one of the stripping plates I08 are coil springs I22, tending to force the stripping plates I06 in a downward direction. Each of the stripping members I08 is provided with a depending bcaring'bracket t ereto by means of a pivot pin I23. The actuating arms I21 are pivotally attached to the locking arms 88 by means of pivot pins I29.

-The plate II9, previously referred to, is further provided with a plurality of vertically ex-' tending hooks I30, one for each stripping member; each hook I30 is adapted to engage the pivot pin I28 of the actuating arm I27, with which it cooperates.

The lower end of the shaft II8 carries a roller I38, adapted to ride upon a rotary cam I38, mounted upon the shaft 28. The roller I38 is maintained in proper cooperative relation with the cam I38 by means of a roller guide I31, secured to the rotary cam I38. The cam I38 is provided with a detent I38 and the roller guide I31 functions primarily to insure a positive actuation of the stripping plates l08 while the roller I38 travels over the portion I38 of the cam.

All of the stripping plates and their associated mechanism operate in the same manner and in the following only the operation of one stripping plate I06 and its associated parts is therefore described.

When the parts of the feed mechanism are in the position as shown in Fig. 5, with a cherry suspended thereon in a manner as previously referred to herein, the hook I30 of each stemming unit is almost in engagement with the pivot pin I upon the stripping plate I08 by means of the hook I30 and pivot pin I28. The resulting downward movement of the stripping plate lot is sumcient to strip the cherry from the stem.

Upon downward movement of the shaft N8, the set screw I 2! is moved out of supporting contact with the stripping plate I 08, and the spring I22 pulls the latter in a downward direction the remainder of the distance allotted for its travel.

Since the travel of the hook I is less than the travel of the pivot pin I28, the stripping plate I08 may stop at any point in the vicinity of the top of the cup, dependent upon the size of the cherry operated upon.

Incident to the downward movement of the stripping plate I08, the locking arm 98 is also forced downwardly by means of the actuating arm I27, and in view of the fact that the pivot pin I29 of the actuating arm i2? is positioned nearer to the shaft 0? than the pivot pin M8 to the shaft 38, the locking arm 88 will travel a greater distance in a downward direction than the stripping plate E88.

Two results are obtained by the above arrangement, namely, the locking of the stem between the hook portion 98 and the U-shaped member 94 during the stripping of the cherry from the stem, and the ejecting of the stem from the vicinity of the feeding station subsequent to the stripping operation.

Referring now to Fig. 9, it will be noted that due to the faster travel of the locking arm 88 with respect to the stripping plate I08, the stem of the cherry will be squeezed between opposing faces of the hook 89 and tongue 88, so as to cause entering of the stem of the cherry into the groove I80 of the hook portion 98, assuring a retention of the stem in proper position during the stemming operation.

When the stem has been locked in a manner as above described, the downward movement of the stripping plate I08, referred to hereinbefore, will strip the cherry from the stem and place the same into one of the cups 89 positioned therebeneath and in alignment therewith. Since the cherry is suspended on the stem, which is locked between the hook portion 99 and the U-shaped member 84 during the stemming operation above described, the downward motion of the stripping plate I08 bearing on top of the cherry will straighten any curvature in the stem, and align the same with respect to the vertical axis of the cup 59, so that a proper positioning and centering of the cherry with respect to the cup 89 is obtained.

It should furthermore be noted that the rate of travel of the stripping plate I 08 is greater than the rate of travel of the falling cherry stripped from the stem, so that the fruit will be forced into the cup in proper'and accurately centered position, without any possibility of movement thereof relative to the stripping plate during the feeding operation above referred to.

After completion of the stemming operation above described, the continued downward travel of the locking arm 98 releases the stem from its clamped position between the hook portion 99 and the U-shaped member 94, and the hook 99 thereupon forces the stem through the opening 93 of the top plate 82. The stem is thereby removed from the feed mechanism and may be discharged from the machine by means of a chute (not shown) in an obvious manner.

An L-shaped spring I40, mounted to the lower face of each top plate 92, and provided with a transversely extending portion I, may be preferably employed for dislodging the stem from e locking arm 88 to prevent any possibility of pulling the stem back into the opening 93.

The pitting mechanism Upon completion of thestemming and centering operation, the cherries deposited inthe cups- 59 are now advanced toward the pitting station C, where the pitting operation is performed. The pitting mechanism is disclosed in Figs. -11 to 21, inclusive.

The pitting mechanism is mounted upon the spider arm I previously referred to, by means of a standard I45, which is fixed within a boss I40 and extends upwardly in a vertical direction, as will be seen from Figs. 3 and 13. Fixed upon the standard I45, as best seen in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, is a supporting bracket I41, which comprises horizontally extending portions I48 and I49.

Slidably disposed within the horizontally extending portions I48 and I49 of the bracket I41 are a plurality of sleeves I50, which are in axial alignment with each series of cups upon the turret A when the same are in a position adjacent the pitting station. slidably mounted within each sleeve I50 is a spindle I5I. The lower ends of the spindles I5I are provided with a plurality of fingers I52 which project from the lower ends of the sleeves I50.

Slidably arranged within the horizontal portions of the bracket I41 are a sleeve actuating shaft I53 and a spindle actuating shaft I54. The upper end of the sleeve actuating shaft I53 carries an actuating bracket I55, which extends transversely with respect to the bracket I41 and is provided with notches I56 adapted to engage spools I51 secured to the upperends of the sleeves I50. Upon movement of the shaft I53 and actuating bracket I55 in vertical directions the sleeves I50 will be correspondingly actuated, due to the engagement between the actuating bracket I55 and the spools I51, as will be clearly seen from Fig. 13.

In a similar manner, shaft I54 carries a spindle actuating bracket I60 provided with notches I8I within which spools I62 secured to the upper ends of the spindles I5I are received, so that upon. actuation of the shaft I54 in vertical directions, the spindles I5I are operated in a corresponding manner. Interposed between the spools I51 and I82 are coil springs I63 for normally maintaining the sleeves I50 in their lowermost position with respect to the spindles I 5| Fixed upon the shaft 30 are rotary cams I65 and I66 provided with cam ways I61 and I68, respectively. Mounted adjacent the rotary cam I85 and straddling the shaft 30 is an actuating member I69 (see-Figs. 11, 12, and 16) provided with a hub portion I10 to which the lower end of the shaft I53 is secured. The actuating member I69 is provided with guide faces I13 and I14 which cooperate with the inner face I15 of the rotary cam I65 and a spacer disc I16 for maintaining the actuating member I69 in proper position. Supported upon the actuating member I89 and adjacent the face I18 thereof is a cam roller I11 which projects into the cam way I61 of the rotary cam I65.

Interposed between the spacer disc I16 and the rotary cam I66 is an actuating member I18 which is secured to the lower end of the shaft I54. The actuating member I18 comprises guide surfaces I19 and I80; the guide surface I19 cooperates with the inner surface I8I of the rotary cam I66, while the guidesurface I cooperates with the spacer disc I18 previously referred to for maintaining the actuating member I18, which straddles the shaft 80, in proper position. Mounted upon the actuating member I18 adjacent the guide surface I18 is a roller I02 extending into the cam way I60 of the rotary cam I66. The connection between the spindle'operating shaft lit and the actuating member I18 is established by means of a hub portion I83, which is offset in a left hand direction with respect to the shaft 80. while the hub portion I10, which interconnects the sleeve actuating shaft I50 with the actuating member I69, is offset in a right hand direction, as clearly seen from Figs. 13 and 16.

It will therefore be noted from the above that upon rotation of the shaft 30 and the rotary cams I05 and I66, shafts I53 and I54 are shifted in vertical directions to effect a corresponding movement of the spindles I5I and sleeves I50. Furthermore, the cams are so positioned with respect to each other that a relative movement between the spindles and sleeves is obtained for causing opening and closing of the fingers I52 in a manner as will be referred to later on.

v Slidably mounted on the outer sleeves I50 are stripper cup supporting brackets I81 provided with a transversely extending stripper bar I88.. Fixed to the bracket I41 by means of screws I89, as will be best seen from Figs. 11 and 12, is a yoke-supporting bracket I which carries a stripper bar actuating yoke I9I pivoted thereto by means of a pivot shaft I92. The stripper cup supporting brackets I81 are mounted within the yoke structure I9I by means of pins 593.

The stripper bar I08 is provided with a plurality of bearing portions I94 within which the stripper cups I95 are slidably mounted. These stripper cups, as will be best seen from Fig. 17, consist of a body portion I98 provided with an upwardly extending sleeve I81, which is slidably received within the bearings I94 previously referred to. A ring clip I98 prevents removal of the stripper cups from the bar I88. Interposed between the stripper cups I95 and the stripper bar I80 are coil springs I99 for normally holding the cups in their lowermost position with respect to the stripper bar I88.

The stripper cups I95 are provided with a center bore 200 through which the lower ends of the sleeves I50 andspindles I5I, which carry the fingers I52 previously mentioned extends. The

lower end of the body portion I96 of the stripper cups I95 is of considerable larger diameter than the sleeve portion I91 thereof and is threaded for attachment of a retaining ring 204 for securing a perforated rubber diaphragm 205 to the lower end of the stripper cup. The fingers I52 extend through the perforation of the diaphragm 205, as clearly shown in Fig. 17, and the lower portion of the bore 200 is of enlarged diameter and of conical configuration, as clearly shown at 206.

Interposed between the pivot shaft I92 and yoke I9I is'a coil spring 201 adapted to maintain the yoke and stripper bar I08 in raised position.

An L-shaped bracket 208, a detail of which is shown in Fig. 15, is fixed upon the shaft I53 (see Figs. 11, 12, and 14) and is provided with a pair of lugs 209 and 2 I0. The lugs 209 and 2I0 carry adjustable buttons 2I I and 2 I2, respectively. The button 2 is adapted to raise the yoke I9I upon upward movement of the shaft I53, while upon downward movement of the same the button 2I2 effects the lowering of the yoke I9I. A

2I3 is effected when the locking bar is, in its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 12.

Pivotally disposed within bearings 220 (see Figs. 11, 12, and 13) of the horizontal portion I48 of the main bracket I41 and-positioned adjacent the outer sleeves I50 by means of pivot pins 22I and 222 are bell cranks 223 and 224 provided with a transversely extending table 225 mounted in an inclined position with respect to the fingers I52, as shown in Figs. 1 and 11. Interposed between the pivot pin 22I and bell crank 223 is a coil spring 226 for normally maintaining bell cranks 223 and 224 and table 225 in a position as shown in Fig. 11. tions 221 and 228 of the bell cranks 223 and 226 are provided with inwardly extending bell crank actuating pins 229. Pivotally mounted upon collars 230 and 23I are throw-out cams 232 and 233. The throw-out cams 232 and 233 are normally held in a position as shown in full lines in Fig. 11, by means of springs 234 interposed between the cams 232 and 233 and collars 230 and Pins 235 secured to the collars 230 and 23I are adapted for limiting the movement of the throw-out cams 232 and 233 in an inward direction.

When the parts are in position as shown in Fig. 11, the pins 220 are in engagement with the cam surface of the throw-out cams 232 and 233, and upon downward movement of the. sleeves I50 the bell cranks 223 and 224 will be rotated around their pivot pins 22I and 222 and the table 225 will be moved from a position as shown in Fig. 11

to a position as illustrated in Fig. 12.

Due to the fact that the pins 229, which are carried by the bell cranks, are shifted relatively with respect to the throw-out cams upon the pivotal movement of the bell cranks 223 and 224, the same will disengage from the throw-out cams 232 and 233, and the table 225 will engage the lower end of the stripper cups I95 and will be held thereby in a position as shown in Fig. 12. As soon as the stripper cups rise, spring 226 will force the table 225 inwardly to a position below the fingers I52, as clearly shown in Fig. 11.

' This returns the table to its normal position, and

the actuating cycle of the table 225 may be repeated in the same manner as described above, upon subsequent downward movement of the sleeves I50.

A trip member 240 is secured to the bracket 208 and is adapted to release the trigger 2I3 from locking engagement with the stripping bar I88 previously referred to.

Referring now more specifically to the construction of the pitting fingers I52, it will be noted that the same are mounted on the lower ends of the spindles I5I in a manner as shown in Fig. 17. The fingers I52 are made of spring steel and are normally held in an open position due to their inherent resiliency. The lower end of each pitting finger. I52 is provided with an upwardly extending hook portion 24I. Upon downward movement of the sleeves I50, with respect to the spindles I5I, the sleeves I50 slide over the upper finger portions and force the The upper lever arm porfingers to closed position, as illustrated in Fig. 20. Spring fingers 242 positioned intermediate the sleeves I50 and stripper cups I05 and supported by the hormontally extending portion I48 of the main bracket Ill, extending downwardly from the cups and between the opened fingers I52 (see' Fig. 17) for dislodging the pits from the fingers I52 after completion of the pitting operation. During the pitting operation and upon movement of the sleeves I50 from the position shown in Fig. 17 to the position as illustrated in Fig. 20, the spring fingers 242 are moved out of cooperation with the fingers I52 by means of sleeves I50, as will be clearly seen from the illustrations above referred to.

Referring now to Figs. 17 t0'21, it will be noted that the opening and closing of the fingers is controlled by the movement of the sleeves I50 with the respect to the spindles I 5I. In Fig. 17, the fingers are shown in fully opened position, while in Fig. 20they are shown in their closed position during-the pitting operation. The fingers I52 are sharpened at their lower ends, so that the same cut through the skin and into the meat of the cherry during the'pitting operation without mutilation of the fruit.

During the operation of the pitting mechanism upon rotation of the rotary cams I65 and I66, the sleeves I50 and spindles I5I are moved downwardly from their position as shown in Figs. 11 and 17 toward the cups 59 within which thecentered and accurately positioned cherries are sup- P rted.

The configuration of the cam ways I61 and I68 of the rotary cams I65 and I66, respectively, is such that the sleeves I50 travel faster than the spindles I5I and fingers I52 until they assume a position as shown in Fig. 18. This movement of the sleeves I50 with respect to the fingers I52 causes closing of the same and retracts the lower end of the spring fingers 242, which remain stationary, from between the fingers I52 while the latter approach the stem end of the fruits. In this way the finger opening is reduced to a minimum previous to the entrance of the pitting fingers into the fruits. 1

Uponfurther rotation of the cams I65 and I66 the sleeves I50 and spindles I5I travel downwardly at the same rate and the fingers I52 enter the fruits by cutting the skin and meat of the cherries in radial directions at the stem ends thereof substantially to the center of the fruits.

Shortly after entrance of the fingers I52 into the fruits and upon further downward travel of the fingers I52 while the same approach the pits of the fruit, the downward travel of the sleeves I50 is retarded due to the configuration of the cam way I61, so that the fingers I52 will advance with respect to the sleeves I50 and will open in view of their inherent resiliency, thereby passing over the pits while they out further downward into the fruit. This phase in the operation of the pitting fingers is shown in Fig. 19.

Whenthe fingers have reached their lowermost point of travel, the sleeves I50 move downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 19 to the position shown in Fig. 20, and the pitting fingers I52 close over the pits.

The spools I51 of the sleeves I 50 comprise a cylindrical portion 243 provided with an upper flange 244 and a lower flange 245. The cylindrical portions 243 are received within the notches I56 of the actuating bracket I55 and are vertically movable with respect to the same. The distance of movement is limited by the flanges 244 a position as disclosed in tion in Fig. 9

spools are held in their and 2", and normally the lowermost position with the flange 2 thereof bearing against the actuating bracket I55 due to the action of the springs I50.

In other words, the spools are floatingly ,supported within the actuating bracket I55 and may move relative to the spindles I5I against the tension of the springs I52 independent of the movement of the actuating bracket I55 caused by the action of the rotary cam I05. In view of the fact that the spools I51 are fixed to the upper ends of the sleeves I50, the latter may perform a corresponding floating movement therewith relative to the spindles I5I. V

Proceeding now with the operation of the pit; ting mechanism, it will be noticed that when the fingers I52 close upon the pits of the fruits, excessive pressure exerted by the fingers I52 upon the pits and bending f the fingers is prevented as the sleeves I50 may float upwardly and ermit an automatic adjustment of the fingers in closed position in correspondence with the size of the pits to be removed from the the sleeve upon the fingers and a the fingers when they close upon a large pit is effectively prevented. The above provision enables handling of various sizes of cherries and eliminates the grading thereof preparatory to processing of the same in the machine of the present invention.

Incident to the downward movement of the sleeves I50 from the position shown in Fig. 17 to Fig. 20, the throw-out cams 202 and 230 engage pins 220 of the bell cranks 220 and 224 and effect a partial rotation of the latter, thereby moving the pit deflecting table 225 out of the way of the fingers I52 and pitting cups I05 to a position as shown in Fig. 12. b

During the downward movement of the shaft I53, causing the downward movement of the actuating bracket I55 and sleeves I50, and incident to the movement of the sleeves I50 from the posithe position as illustrated in Fig. 20, the button 2 I 2 engages yoke IOI and forces the same downwardly against the pressure of the spring 201, the button 2 being out of engagement with yoke I0 I The stripper cups are thereby moved downwardly and positioned upon the cherries with the diaphragms 205 flexed back to a position as shown in Fig. 20. The individual stripper cups I05, which are floatingly supported on the stripper bar I00, may adjust themselves automatically, with respect to the bar I00, against the pressure of the springs I00, depending upon the size of the cherry in each one of the cups 50 adjacent the same. The trigger 2 I0 automatically locks the bar I00 in its lowermost position.

Cams I55 and I05 cause, upon their further rotation, an upward movement of the spindles I5I, ringers I52, and sleeves I50, without relative movement between these parts.

The cherries gripped by the pitting fingers I52 closed upon the pits are lifted out of the cups 50 and the stripper cups I05 move upward against the pressure 'of the springs I00 until the portions I00 of the stripper cups abut against the bearings I00, arresting further upward movement thereof. with the stripper cups now held in their uppermost position, the upward movement of the pitting fingers I52 continues, and the pits (see Fig. 21) are pulled from the fruits through the incisions made in the meat and skin thereof. The radial incisions in the skin and meat portion of the cherries permit upward and outward bending of the skin and meat of the fruits above the fruit. A Jamming of deformation of 7 and the pits 'are extracted with a minimum of disfiguration ,of the fruits at the stem end thereof. As soon as the pits are dislodged from the meat of the fruits the stripper cups I05 under the action of springs I00 snap the pittedcherries back into the cups 50 at a speed greater than the free gravitative fall of the fruits. so that the same are returned to the cups 00 without disturbing the centered relation with respect thereto.

With the pits removed and held between the pitting fingers I52, the spindles I5I and sleeves I50 return to their original positions, as shown in Fig. 17. During this travel, the sleeves I50 move relative to the spindles IN and fingers I52, and the latter open due to the inherent resiliency thereof. At the same time, the spring fingers 252 enter between the fingers I52 and dislodge the pits therefrom.

. Incident ,to the above described return of the sleeves to normal position, the trip member 240 engages a pin 240 on the trigger 2I0 and shifts "the sameiou't of engagement with bar I00, and

spring, 201 retums the yoke IOI, bracket I01, bar I00, and the stripper cups I05 to their full line positions as shown in Fig. 11. The button 2 finally engages the yoke, holds the same in raised position and functions also to return the yoke IOI in case of failure of spring 201. The pit deflector plate 225 under the action of spring 220 moves underneath the fingers I52 and deflects the falling pits away from the cups 50 preferably into a pit discharge chute, not shown. All of the parts of the pitting mechanism are now in a position as shown in Fig. 11, and. the cycle of operation repeats.

The reshaping mechanism 40 nism thereof, and the cups with the pitted cherries are presented to the reshaping mechanism generally indicated at D, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 22.

This reshaping mechanism is adapted to close the wound formed in the stem end of the cherries by the extraction of the pits. The meat and skin of the cherries bent outwardly during the extraction of the pit has a tendency to assume its original position; however, a definite reshaping and closing of the stem end of the fruit is necessary to obtain a final product which is satisfactory in every respect.

The reshaping mechanism, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 22 to 25, is carried by a bracket 250 secured to the spider arm II previously referred to. This bracket comprises a bearing portion 25I within which a vertical shaft 252 is slidably mounted. The lower end of the shaft 252 is provided with a crank bearing 250 having a hori- -zontally extending elongated slot 254 within which a crank pin 255 of a disc crank 250 mounted on the shaft 38 is received, so that upon rotation of the shaft 30 a reciprocating movement of shaft 252 is obtained. A washer 251 interposed between the disc crank 250 and a head 250 of the crank pin 255 is adapted to maintain the crank pin in proper engagement with the crank bearing 250 and the elongated slot 254 thereof.

Fixed to the upper portion of the shaft 252 is a supporting bracket 250, within which reshaping or tucking elements 200 are slidably mounted, and a spring guide and stop bracket 2!, as best seen from Figssl and 22.

The supporting bracket 250 and the spring "pits, 7 guide and stop bracket "I extend above the -a series of cups through turret A in such a manner that the tucking elements 269 are supported in alignment with the cups "adjacent the same when these cups are in a proper indexed position for the reshaping operation.

The reshaping elements 269 consist of a cylindrical body portion 269, slidably mounted within the supporting bracket 259, and a flange 299 for retaining the reshaping elements -on said bracket.

The lower end of each reshaping element 299 is provided with a cylindrical reshaping finger 261 of reduced diameter comprising a domeshaped end 268 having a knob-like protuberance 269 at the lower center thereof.

Each reshaping element 269 is further provided with a collar 219 adjustably secured thereto by means of a clamp screw 2. The collar 219 is recessed at the lower end thereof as shown at 212 and includes a frusto conical surface 212 to which a frusto conical flexible rubber diaphragm 216 having a central opening 211 is attached by means of a clamping ring 218 held in position by screws 219.

The lower end of each reshaping finger 251 extends through the opening 211 of the frusto conical diaphragm 216 as will be best seen from Fig. 23. The collar 219 may be adjusted with respect to the reshaping finger 251 in any desired manner to vary the position of the diaphragm in accordance with the requirements of practice depending upon the size and configuration of the fruit to be reshaped thereby.

The spring guide and stop bracket 26l is positioned above the supporting bracket 259 in alignment therewith, and interposed between the reshaping elements 269 and the bracket 26l are coiled springs 282 which are held in position on the bracket 26l by means of spring guides 283. The lower ends of the coil springs 282 extend into a bore (not shown) in the members 265' so that the lower ends of the springs are held in proper position.

When the turret A is indexed so as to position below the reshaping mechanism, the crank pin 255 travels through its upper arc of rotation during the continuous rotation of the shaft 99 and no substantial downward movement of the reshaping elements is eflfected, as will be seen from Fig. '22. However, after the turret indexing operation is completed and while the turret remains stationary the crank pin .255 travels its lower are causing downward .movement of shaft 252 and the reshaping elements 269 carried thereby. Due to the fact that these reshaping elements 269 are accurately centered with respect to the cups 59 now positioned therebeneath, the reshaping fingers 261 will engage the .stem end of the cherries and press the dislocated skin and meat the fruit, reshaping the same thereby to its original configuration. The small knob 259 engages that section of the fruit formerly joined to the stem and reshapes the small cavity of the cherries at this point.

During this reshaping action, each reshaping upon the stem end of the opening .211 engages the stem end of the fruit.

.duced due to the contraction of the rubber under 59 and the pitted cherries therein back into the center of.

the flexing action. Therefore, while the annular edge 294 01' the diaphragm opening 211 contracts and shifts toward the vertical axis 01 the reshaping finger 291 during its frictional engagement with the stem end of the fruit, the dislocated skin and meat or the fruit is shifted toward the center of the fruit (see Fig. 24) and is subsequently tucked back into the fruit by the finger 291 and knob 269. See Fig. 25). The opening caused by the extraction of the pit at the stem end of the fruit is closed and the stem end of the cherry is reshaped to its natural app arance by the combined action of the flexible diaphragm 219, reshaping finger 261, and knob 299, as above described.

Cherries are rather fragile fruits and the pressure exerted by the fingers 261 must be within predetermined limits. This pressure is regulated by the springs 292 which are so calibrated that the pressure exerted upon the fruits does not damage the same. Therefore, under the predetermined pressure of the spring 292 the reshaping elements 269 may individually float up or down within the supporting bracket 259 to permil; individual reshaping of each fruit under such predetermined pressure irrespective oi the size of the fruit. In this way. a crushing of large fruits, which project farther above the cups than small cherries, is prevented and likewise an insufiicient reshaping operation upon small cherries and a lack of" reshaping pressure is effectively prevented.

After completion or the reshaping operation, the turret is rotated by the index mechanism to present the cups containing the pitted and reshaped cherries to the ejector mechanism, which will now be specifically described.

Ejector mechanism The ejector mechanism for discharging the pitted fruits from the cups 59 is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 and comprises a plurality of reciprocating ejector members 299, one for each cup of a series thereof, ,wh.ich are slidably mounted within the supporting bracket 29 attached to the hexagonal body portion 9 of the spider structure 1 below the turret A of the machine. The ejector members 299 are rigidly secured to a cross bar 292 to which one end of an actuating arm 293 (see Fig. 3), iulcrumed at 294 to bracket 29, is slidably and pivotally attached by means of rollers 295 operating in a roller slide 01'. the cross bar 292, comprising channel members 296 and 291. The other end 298 of the actuating arm 293 .carries a roller (not shown) operating within a camway 299 of a rotary cam 399 keyed to shaft 39.

The camway 299 of the rotary cam 399 is of such configuration as to cause an upward and downward motion of the ejector members when a series of cups 59 is positioned above the ejector members and in proper alignment therewith after each indexing operation of the turret A and while the latter remains stationary for a short interval .during its intermittent rotation.

During such reciprocation the ejector members 299 enter the cups 59 through bore 63 thereof from below the turret A and travel upward thereinto a suflicient distance to lift the pitted fruits out of the cupsand to discharge the same therefrom.

The upper end of each ejector member comprises'an inclined surface 99! which efiecfs the discharge of the fruits toward one side of the preferably toward the periphery of the turret A into a discharge chute, not shown.

the sprin s I22 (see Fig. 9). V

ward movement of the stripping plates I the Operation In the following a resume of the complete operation of the entire machine will be given wherein the function of all of its parts will be set forth in proper sequence and. timed relation.

During the operation of the machine of the present invention the main shaft 28 and shafts 30, 30 and 10 are continuously driven by the motor I. Therefore, the feed mechanism B, pitting mechanism C, reshaping mechanism D and ejector mechanism F are operated continuously in successive cycles while, the turret ,A is intermittently rotated in timed relation with respect thereto.

In describing the operation of the machine, the travel of a single row of fruits from the .feed mechanism to the ejector mechanism will be followed. However, it should be understood that during the operation of the machine successive rows of fruit are continuously supplied to the same and t avel successively from the feed mechanism past the pitting and reshaping mechanism to the ejector mechanism where they are discharged from the machine.

When, during the operation of the machine, the group of fruit holding andsupporting cups designated 305 is in a position as shownin Fig. 2, and the stripping plates I06 and locking arms 98 are in their uppermost position as illustrated in Fig. 5. the feed mechanism B is in fruit receivin position. The operators now insert four cherries into the feed mechanism 13 by entering the stems of the fruits into the V-shaped portions of the strippin plates I08 and into the central openings N5 of the eyelets I01 thereof. The stems of the fruit are thereupon bent downwardl by the operators and engaged with the hook portions 39 of the locking arms 98 in a manner as previously referred to herein and illustrated in Fig. 5.

The cherries are now suspended from the feed mechanism and are held thereon by the frictional engagement of the stems with the hooks 99 and the U-shaped members 0'4, and the operators may reach for additional cherries to be inserted in the feed mechanismafter the feeding and stemming operation now under consideration has been completed and the feed mechanism is again in fruit receiving position.

After placing of the cherries in the feed mechanism as illustrated in Flg; 5. the hooks I are almost in engagement with the pivot pins I20. The set screws I2I retain the strippin plates I06 in contact with the lower front edge of the top plate 02,and the springs I22 tend to pull the stripping plates I05 in a downward direction. As soon as the roller I enters the depressed cam portion I33 of cam I36 during the continuous rotation of the latter, the shaft II 8 is pulled in a downward direction, disengaging the set screws iL'I from the stripping plates I06 which are now forced downwardly by the springs I22 above re shaped memberss i, so that the stems of the-fruits are held securely in position when the stripping plates Hi0 move downward under the action of During the downcherries are centered, stripped from the stems,

and placed in the cups of the series of cups 305, which have been advanced previous to the stemming operation of the feed mechanism by rotation of the turret A and are now positioned at 306 below, the stripping plates I00 and in alignment therewith (see Fig. '1).

As soon as the roller I35 has passed the depressed cam portion I38 the locking arms 90 and stripping plates I06 are returned to their original position as shown in Fig. 5, and the feed mechanism is thereby moved to fruit receiving position and conditioned for the next feeding and stemming operation.

During the above described downward movement of the locking arms 98 and subsequent to the stripping of the cherries, the stems are pulled downwardly through the openings 93 in the top plate 92. Upon return movement of the lockin arms 98 the same strike against the L-shaped springs H0 mounted below the top plate 92, and any stems adhering or sticking to the hook portions 93 are thereby dislodged and drop from the vicinity of the feed mechanism into a discharge chute directing the same outwardly of the machine.

The centering of the-cherries during th stemming operation with respect to the fruit holding cups 59 has ben specifically described previously herein and a repetition thereof at this pointis not believed to be necessary.

With the cherries now placed in the fruit holding cups in accurately centered position, the index mechanism ofthe turret A is operated and effects a forward movement of the series of cups 305 from the position 306 to the position 301, as shown in Fig. 2. While these cups are in this position, no operation is performed upon the fruit. In other words, the cup position 301 is only a blank stop to provide suflicient space between the pitting mechanism and the feed mechanism to enable the operators to conveniently feed the cherries-t0 the latter.

The turret A is again rotated by the index mechanism and the group offruit holdin cups under consideration are positioned below the pitting mechanism 0, as shown at 308 in Fig. 2.

During the advancement of the cupsfrom the position 301 to the position 308 the downward movement of the sleeves I50 and spindles I5I of the pitting mechanism from the position shown in Fig. 17 toward the position shown in Fig. 18 begins. The throw-out cams 232 and 233 engage the'pins 220, and the pit deflecting table 225 is swung away from below the pitting fingers I52 to permit the positioning of the cups and fruits therebeneath.

During the downward movement of the sleeves I50 and spindles I5 I, the sleeves travel faster than the spindles I5I, effecting closing of the pittin fingers I52. The spring fingers 242 are shifted away from the pitting fingers and the parts are now in aposition as shown in Fig. 18.

Upon further downward movement of the parts of the pitting mechanism, and while the turret A is at rest, the pitting fingers enter into the cherries until they approximately contact the pits thereof.

The downward movement of the sleeves I50 and spindles I5I, as above described, is effected by the.

operation of the cams I and IE6 in a manner as specifically described previously herein.

When the lower ends of the pitting fingers I52 are in approximate contact with the pits of the fruits and while the downward movement of the pitting fingers I52, spindles III, and sleeves I88 continues the cams I85 and I88 effect a relative movement between the spindles III and sleeves I58, so that the rate of travel of the spindles I8I is gerater than that'of the sleeves I58. The relative motion between these parts produces an open ing of the pitting fingers to permit the same to pass over the pit. When the spindles II have reached their lowermost position, the same remain stationary while the sleeves I58 continue their downward travel, closing the pitting fingers and locking the same over. the pit.

During the opening of the pitting fingers as above described, the stripper cups I98 are lowered from the position shown in Fi 19 to the position as illustrated in Fig. 28. The rubber diaphragms 285 engage the stem ends of the fruits and are flexed into a position as shown in Fig. 20. The cherries are now securely held between the cups 58 and stripper cups I85. As previously stated, the stripper cups are floatingly mounted within the stripper bracket I88 so as to engage cherries of various size without damage thereof.

During the further operation of the machine the spindles I8I, pitting fingers I82, and sleeves I58 are moved upwardly and with the pitting fingers firmly grasping the pits the fruits are lifted out of the cups 88 while the stripper cups I 88 move upward against the tension of the springs I88. When the stripper cup portions I88 abut against the bearing I84, the stripper cups I85 are held stationary, the pits are pulled out of the fruit through the incision in the stem end thereof, and the stripper cups I85 return to their position as shown in Fig. 21 under the, influence of the springs I88,'snapping the cherries back into the cups, thereby maintaining th same in centered position with respect to the cups.

In other words, when the stripper cups I85 are raised above the fruit-holding and supporting cups 58- and the pits have been extracted, the cherries do not fall back into the cups on account of their own gravity but are rather forced back into the same by the stripper cups ahead of the gravity action to thereby prevent a disalignment of the cherries with respect to the cups 58.

During the pitting operation above described, the stripper bar I88 is locked in its lowermost position, as shownin Fig, 12, by means of the latch However, the stripper cups may move slightly in an upward direction against the tension of the springs I 98, as above described. Upon completion of the pitting operation the spindles I5l, stripper fingers I52, and sleeves I58 continue their upward movement, and at the same time latch 2 I3 is disengaged from the stripper bar I88, permitting the return of the stripper cups I95 to their original position as shown in Fig, 17 under the influence of the spring 281 and yoke I 8I. During the return movement of the stripper cups and pitting fingers to the position as shown in Fig. 17, the pit deflecting table 225 swings below the pitting fingers I52 (see Fig. 11) so that when the same now open due to relative movement of the sleeves I58 with respect to the spindles I5I and the pits are released from the spring fingers I52, the same are deflected away from the cups 58 and may fall into a chute for discharging the same from the machine. During the relative motion of the spindles I 5| and sleeves I58 above referred to, causing opening of the pitting fingers I52, the spring fingers 242 enter between the pit- .ting fingers and dislodge the pits from the same in case they should stick thereto and not readily discharge due to their own gravity.

This completes the pitting operation and the turret A. is now rotated by the index mechanism to present the pitted fruits to the reshaping mechanism D. The cups are now in a position as indicated at 888 in Fig. 2.

During the last indexing operation of the turret A above referred to, i. e., during the movement of the cups 58 from the pitting mechanism to the reshaping mechanism, the crank pin 285 (see Fig. 22) of the reshaping mech moves throu h its upper arc of rotation, causing a slight upward and downward movement of the reshaping mechanism D. When the cups and i'ruits are properly aligned below the reshaping mechanism and the indexing of the turret A has been completed, the crank pin 255 travels through its lower' arc of movement, causing a downward movement of the reshaping mechanism D and subsequently an upward movement thereof to return the same to its original position as shown in Fig, 22.

During the downward movement of the reshaping mechanism, the reshaping elements 288 and the diaphragms 278 thereof engage the stem end of the fruits. The flexing and contraction of the flexible diaphragms 218 during their frictional engagement with the stem end of the fruits contracts the meat and skin portions displaced during the pitting operation toward the stem axis of the fruits into thepath of the tucking members 28'l and protuberances 288 (see Fig. 24). The downward movement of the tucking members 28'! and protuberances 288 presses the displaced skin and meat portions back into their original position, and reshapes the stem end of the fruits (see Fig. 25)

The pressure under which the reshaping elements 268 operate is always constant and corresponds to the pressure of the coil springs 282. During the reshaping action the reshaping elements may individually float in an upward direction in accordance with the size of the individual fruits operated upon. In this way, damage of the fruits is prevented and the tucking elements will perform their reshaping operation in a satisfactory manner irrespective of the size of the fruits,

Upon completion of the reshaping operation above referred to the turret A is again rotated to align the cups 58 in a proper position above the elector mechanism F. This elector mechanism is operated by the cam 888 in a manner as previously described. The configuration of the camway 288 of the cam 888 and its position with respect to the shaft 88 is such that the ejector mechanism remains stationary during movement of the turret A and is operated when the turret is at rest. When the cups 58 are properly positioned above the ejector mechanism F the same is shifted upwardly and the ejector members 288 enter into the cups 58 from below the turret A through the Openings 88 and discharge the fruits.

Thereupon the elector mechanism F is returned to its original position as shown in Fig. 1 In which it remains until operated again to effect the discharge of the next row of fruits.

This completes the entire cycle of operation aasaosr is to be understood, therefore, that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the scope and proper interpretation of the claims appended hereto.

Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may be used, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fruit pitting machine, in combination, a rotatabl turret, fruit supporting cups carried on said turret, stem gripping means for holding the fruit presented thereto in suspended position above said fruit supporting cups, a stripping plate positioned in alignment with said. cups for engaging the stem end portion of the suspended fruit, actuating means for moving th stripping plate toward said supporting cups for stripping the fruit from the stem and for placing the fruit into said cups, means cooperating with said cups for pitting the fruit, means cooperatingwith said cups for reshaping the pitted fruit, and means for intermittently rotating the turret for advanc ing the clips from the stripping plate into alignment with said pitting and reshaping means and in timed relation with respect thereto.

2. In a fruit pitting machine, fruit holding means, a stationary support, pit extracting means slidably mounted on the support, a stripper bar slidably mounted on the pit extracting means, a stripper cup carried by the stripper bar, means for moving the stripper bar with respect to the pit extracting means for engaging the stripper cup with the fruit presented thereto by said fruit holding means, means for operating the pit extracting means for extracting the pit from the fruit, and means for locking the stripper bar in operative position for maintaining the stripping cup in engagement with the fruit during the pit extracting operation.

3. In a fruit pitting machine, fruit, holding means, a stationary support,- a pit extracting means slidably mounted on the support, a stripper bar slidably mounted on the pit extracting means, a stripper cup carried by the stripper bar, means for moving the stripper bar with respect to the pit extracting means for engaging the stripper cup with the fruit presented thereto by said fruit holding means, means for operating the pit extracting means for extracting the pit from the fruit, means for locking the stripper bar in operative position for maintaining the stripping cup in engagement with the fruit during the pit extracting operation, means for releasing the stripper bar upon completion of the pit extracting operation, and means for retuming the stripper bar to its original position for disengaging the stripper cup from the pitted fruit.

4. In a pitting device for fruit pitting machines, stationary means, pit extracting means movably mounted on said stationary means, a stripper bar movably mounted on said pit extracting means, a stripper cup movably supported on said bar, and means for operating the pit extracting means or gripping the pit of fruit presented thereto and for extracting the pit therefrom including means for moving the stripper bar relative to said pit extracting means for engaging the stripper cup with the fruit presented thereto for bolding the same during the extraction oi-the pit.

5. In a pitting device for fruit pitting machines. stationary means, pit extracting means movably mounted on said stationary means, a stripper bar movably mounted on said pit extracting means, a stripper cup movably supported on said bar, means for operating the pit extract- (6 sageable with the meat of the fruit for contract- J ing means for gripping the pit of the fruit presented thereto and for extracting the pit therefrom including means for moving the bar relative to said pit extracting means for engaging the cup with the fruit to be pitted and for holding the same during the extraction of the pit, means for locking the bar and cup in fruit holding position, means for unlocking said bar and cup upon completion or the pit extraction, and automatic means for returning said bar and cup to their original position.

8. In a pitting device for fruit pitting machines, a stripper cup having a dished portion and a central passage, a flexible irusto conical annular diaphragm mounted within said cup to normally extend outwardly with respect to the dish portion thereof, pit extracting means cooperating with said cup and diaphragm movably mounted within the central passage of said cup, means for urging-said stripper cup toward the fruit to be pitted and for flexing the diaphragm inwardly to receive a portion of the fruit within said cup, means for operating the pit extracting means for grasping the pit of the fruit and for pulling the same from the fruit while the latter is held within said stripper cup, and means for releasing the stripper cup for movement away from the fruit whereby the diaphragmflexes to its original position for discharging the fruit from said cup.

7. In a pitting device for fruit pitting machines, stationary means, pitting means movably mounted on the stationary means, stripper means, means for movably mounting the stripper means on the pitting means, pit deflecting means pivotally mounted on the stationary means,

means for operating the pitting means, means for engaging the stripper means with the fruit for holding the same during the operation of the pitting means, means cooperating with the pitting means for moving the pit deflecting means into inoperative position, and means for moving the pit deflecting means into operative position upon completion of the operation of the pitting means.

8. In a pitting device for fruit pitting machines, stationary means, pitting means movably mounted on the stationary means, stripper means, means for movably mounting the stripper means on the pitting means, pit deflecting means pivotally mounted on the stationary means,

means for operating the pitting means, means for engaging the stripper means with the fruit for holding the same during the operation of the pitting means, and means cooperating with the pitting means for movingthe pit deflecting means into operative and inoperative position in timed relation with respect to the operation of the pitting means.

9. In a reshaping device for fruit pitting machines, means for contracting the meat of the fruit displaced in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit, and means operable with the contracting means for pressing the contracted meat back into the interior of the fruit.

10. In 9, reshaping device for fruit pitters, a flexible conical sleeve engageable with the meat of the fruit for contracting the same in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit, and means movable axially relative to said sleeve for pressing the contracted meat back into the interior of the ruit.

11. In a reshaping device for fruit pitters, a flexible 'frusto conical open-ended diaphragm ening the same in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit, and means axially arranged relative to said diaphragm for pressing the contracted meat back into the interior of the fruit.

12. In a reshaping device for fruit pitting machines, means for contracting the meat of the fruit displaced in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit, and means relatively movable to said contracting means for pressing the contracted meat back into the interior of the fruit.

13. In a reshaping device for fruit pitting machines, means for contracting the meat of the fruit displaced in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit, and semi-spherical means co acting with the means for contracting the meat for engaging the meat contracted by the latter for pressing .the contracted meat back into the interior of the fruit.

14. In a reshaping device for fruit pitting machines, means for contracting the meat of the fruit displaced in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit, and semi-spherical means having a knob-like protuberance movable with the last named means for engaging the contracted meat and for pressing the contracted meat back into the interior of the fruit.

15. In a reshaping mechanism for fruit pitting machines, a reshaping element comprising a conical flexible sleeve and a tucking member centrally positioned with respect to the same, and means for operating said reshaping element for engaging the sleeve with the fruit in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit for contracting dislocated meat portions of the fruit toward the stem axis of the fruit and for engaging the tucking member with the contracted meat for pressing the same back into the interior of the fruit.

16. In a reshaping mechanism for fruit pitting machines, a reshaping element comprising a conical flexible sleeve and a tucking member centrally positioned with respect to the same, means for operating said reshaping element for engaging.

stem axis of the fruit and for engaging the tucking member with the contracted meat for pressing the same back into the interior of the fruit, and means for controllingithe pressure of said reshaping element against the fruit.

1'7. In a reshaping mechanism for fruit pitting machines, a reshaping element comprising a conical flexible sleeve and a tucking member positioned within the same, actuating means for pressingsaid reshaping element against the fruit in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit for shifting dislocated portions of the meat of the fruit toward the stem axis thereof and for tucking said portions back into the fruit, and resilient means interposed between the reshaping element and said actuating means for controlling the pressure of the reshaping element against the fruit.

18. In a fruit pitting machine, a reshaping means, fruit holding means for presenting fruit to said reshaping means, actuating means for the reshaping means for pressing the latter against the fruit within said holding means, and resilient means interposed between the reshaping means and said actuating means for permitting relative movement of the reshaping means with respect to the actuating means.

19. In a fruit pitting machine, a reshaping dislocated meat portions of the fruit toward the means, fruit holding means for presenting fruit to said reshaping means, actuating means for the reshaping means for pressing the latter against the fruit in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit, and resilient means interposed between the reshaping means and said actuating means for maintaining a predetermined pressure between the reshaping means and said fruit and for permitting relative movement of the reshaping means with respect to the actuating means.

20. In a fruit reshaping device for fruit pittin machines including a fruit support, conically arrayed resilient means adapted to be axially aligned with the fruit support to expose the fruit carried thereby to the restricted area of said conically arrayed resilient means, means for moving the resilient means toward the fruit support for engaging the fruit therein in the region of said fruit'surrounding the wound left by removal of the pit to resiliently urge the meat surrounding said wound over the latter, and a tucker member axially arranged with respect to the resilient means for movement therewith for engaging the meat urged over the wound and for pressing said meat back into the interior of the fruit.

21. In a fruit pitter, fruit holding means, means cooperating with the fruit holding means for removing the pit from the fruit, a reciprocable resilient means cooperating with the fruit holding means for engaging the meat of the fruit around the opening-therein through which the pit was removed to urge the meat over the opening, means movable with said resilient means for engaging the meat urged over the opening and for closing said opening to restore the original appearance of the fruit, and means for reciprocating said resilient means toward and away from the fruit.

22. A fruit pitting machine embodying a fruit holder, a pitting mechanism for removing the pit from a fruit in said holder, a reciprocable reshaping elementhaving a dome shaped protuberance the convex face of which is operable to engage and replace torn portions of the fruit in the wound left by removal of the pit, and means for operating the holder to successively present the fruit held therein to said pitting mechanism and reshaping element.

23. In a fruit pitting machine, in combination, a rotatable turret, fruit supporting cups carried on said turret, stem gripping means for holding the fruit presented thereto in suspended position above said fruit supporting cups, a stripping plate positioned in alignment with said cups for engaging the stem end portion of the suspended fruit, actuating means for moving the stripping plate toward said supporting cups for stripping the fruit from the stem and for placing th fruit into said cups, and means for intermittently rotating the turret in timed relation with respect to the operation of said stripping plate.

24. In a pitting device for fruit pitting machines, a stripper cup normally held out of engagement with the fruit to be pitted and having a central passage terminating in an inverted dish portion, a flexible frusto conical annular diaphragm mounted within said cup and normally extending outwardly of the dish portion thereof and adapted to flex inwardly relative to said dish portion when a portion of fruit is urged into said cup, means for reciprocating said stripper cup for engaging the diaphragm with the fruit to be pitted and for flexing the same inwardly to receive a portion of the fruit within said cup, pit extracting means movably mounted within the central passage of the cup and cooperating with the latter tor grasping the pit of the fruit and for pulling the same from the fruit while the latter is held within said stripper cup, said diaphragm reflexing under its inherent resiliency for removing the pitted fruit from the stripper cup when the latter returns to normal position.

25. In a fruit pitter, fruit holding means, means cooperating therewith for removing the pit from the fruit, tucker means cooperating with the holding means for closing the opening in the fruit through which the pit was removed, and means movable with respect to said last named means and cooperating therewith for contracting, the meat and skin portions of the fruit displaced during the pitting operation into the path or the tucker means for restoring the original appearance of the fruit.

26. In a reshaping device for fruit pitters, a flexible conical sleeve engageable with the meat or the fruit for contracting the same in the region of the wound left by removal of the pit, and semispherical means having a knob-like protuberance concentric relative to the sleeve for engaging the. meat while it is contracted as aforesaid whereby to press the contracted meat back into the interior oi the fruit for restoring the original appearance thereof.

27. In a fruit pitting machine, a reciprocating fruit reshaping means adapted to apply first a circumterential and thereafter an axial pressure in respect to the opening formed by the removal of the pit from the fruit, iruit holding means for presenting fruit to said reshaping means, actuating the reciprocation of the reshaping means irrespective oi the size of the fruit. 28. The method of treating fruit which comprises removing the pit from the fruit, contracting the meat of the fruit in the region of the wound left by the removal of the pit, by circumferential pressure directed toward the wound, and forcing the contracted meat back into the interior of the fruit by pressure exerted axially of the wound for restoring the original appearance of the same.

29. The method of pitting and reshaping the pitted fruit which comprises removing the pit from the fruit, folding the meat surroundingthe opening through which the pit is removed back toward said opening by a circumferential pressure exerted towards the axis of the opening simultaneously throughout the periphery of the opening, and then tucking said meat into the opening to close said opening and seal the pocket previously occupied by the pit in the fruit.

30. The method of treating pitted fruit which comprises applying circumferential contracting pressure against torn ,meat surrounding the wound left-by the removal of the pit and in a direction towards the axis 01' the .wound to contract the torn meat back-over the wound, and then applying pressure against the contracted meat in a direction axially of the wound to press the contracted meat back into the wound for a restoring the original appearance of the fruit. 31. The method of treating fruit pitted through its stem cavity which comprises contracting the meat orthe truit back over the wound left by the removal of the pit, by applying circumferenmg means reclprmfln! the "shaping mean! giti'al pressure directed towards the axis .of the toward and away iromthe fruit to press said reshaping means against the fruit, and yieldable means between said actuating and reshaping means for maintaining a predetermined pressure between the reshaping means and said fruit dur- A.

wound, and then pressing the contracted meat back into the interior of the fruit by pressure directed towards the center of the fruit for restoring the appearance of the stem cavity of the same.

BURTON C. COONS. 

